Image transfer system

ABSTRACT

The system involves a process and apparatus for releasing a printed image from a clay-coated image bearing surface and transferring it onto a flexible transparent substrate. The transferred image is protected by a soft, limpid plastic overlay lamina which forms a pliable image carrier. The image carrier is self-adherent and peelably affixable to a storage leaf, rigid slide mount, or to any other smooth surface for projection, display or storage.

United States Patent Molner *July 29, 1975 {5 IMAGE TRANSFER SYSTEM [56] References Cited [76] Inventor: Donald Joseph Molner, 9 Varnum UNITED STATES PATENTS Englishtown, 07726 3,840,113 10/1974 Bartleson 206/223 Notice: The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to Feb. 12, 1991, Primary Examiner-Douglas J. Drummond has been disclaimed. Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Dawson N ti N It E Filed: Nov. 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm a er & a er Sqs Related Application Data The system involves a process and apparatus for re- [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 116,861, Feb. 19, leasing a printed image from a clay-coated image I971, Pat. N 9 bearing surface and transferring it onto a flexible transparent substrate. The transferred image is pro- U-S. tected a oft plastic overlay lamina 156/235; 156/240; 156/249; 206/223; forms a pliable image carrier. The image carrier is A 428/91 self-adherent and peelably affixable to a storage leaf, CLAW 3323 7/06? 344C 1/16; B65D 69/00 rigid slide mount, or to any other smooth surface for of Search l I projection o torage 156/234, 235, 236, 240, 241, 249, 277; l6l/l, 2, 6, 406, 413; 35/75; 40/158 B; 206/223 18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEB JUL 2 9 I975 SHEET FIG. 7

IMAGE TRANSFER SYSTEM CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of a copending application by the same inventor, Ser. No. 1 16,861, filed Feb. 19, 1971 now US. Pat. No. 3,791,905, issued Feb. l2, 1974.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a process and apparatus for direct contact transfer of images such as designs or other printed indicia.

In particular, the system concerns the formation of a transparent pliable laminate containing a transferred image in a convenient form for projection, display or storage.

The system embodied in this invention is especially suitable for pedagogical, educational and amusement purposes. In this regard, the component elements and apparatus necessary for fabrication of a projectionable slide can be packaged in a kit.

2. Description of the Prior Art Conventional direct contact transfer systems which produce transparent images for projection purposes generally encompass a slide mount or holder affixed to an image bearing transparent film. The slides produced, as disclosed in the prior art, are permanently bonded to a slide mount such as glass, rigid plastic, or a film holder or cardboard stiffener frame of suitable dimensions for accommodation within a projector. This current practice provides an integral slide having an image bearing film incorporated with a slide mount or film holder.

A distinct disadvantage of the previous system is that the separate and permanent mounting of each image bearing film is uneconomical. Not only does this add to the cost of each slide, but furthermore, the combined thickness of the film and mount increases the space requirements for storage and adds to the shipping weight.

Another undesirable characteristic of the conventional rigid plastic or glass integral slides is that these slides are frequently subject to scratching, chipping or other damage during handling or cleaning. Furthermore, the slides so produced are primarily adapted for projection purposes and conform in size for accommodation within a slide projector; the available image viewing modes are therefore limited.

The copending application, previously referred to, describes a system for producing slides which has now been improved so as to produce a flexible image containing laminate or carrier which can be peelably affixed to a storage leaf, slide mount or other supportive surface. An intended purpose of this improved method is to obviate the necessity for permanently mounting the image bearing film to a slide mount; accordingly, this invention permits re-use of a slide mount with a plurality of image carriers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The process of the instant invention concerns the production of a flexible transparent image containing laminate or carrier which has a self-adhering surface.

The method involves the release or the transfer of an image in the form of a design, picture, printed indicia, etc., from a clay-coated image bearing surface such as the page of a magazine or book. The image is contacted with a transparent substrate having a layer of pellucid pressure-sensitive adhesive, and suitable rubbing pressure is applied. Thereafter, the clay coating is dissolved in water and the image is thus removed from the bearing surface and transferred to the adhesive layer. A soft, smooth surfaced, transparent overlay lamina or plastic pane] is then applied to the adhesive layer. The overlay lamina will adhere to the remaining non-image containing portion of the pressure-sensitive coating to form a transparent image carrier. The exposed surface of the overlay lamina will have a natural tendency to cling to a smooth supportive surface with the application of moderate pressure.

A feature of this invention is that the transparent image carrier can thus be detachably removed from a supportive surface.

An advantage, therefore, of this system relates to the increased versatility in applications for the image carrier which can be peelably attached to different supportive surfaces for direct viewing, projection or storage.

A further feature of this invention is that one slide mount can be used interchangeably with a number of different transparent image carriers.

A further advantage of this image transfer system is that arrangements of multiple image carriers can be simultaneously displayed on one supportive surface.

Another advantage of this image transfer system is that the image carrier provides a pliable protective jacket which is light in weight and not subject to scratching, chipping, or cracking.

Having thus summarized the invention, it will be seen that an object thereof is to provide an image transfer system of the general character described herein which is not subject to the disadvantages of the prior art.

Specifically, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a process and apparatus for the transfer, storage and display of images.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a convenient form, a pliable image bearing laminate or carrier suitable for projection of an image.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an image carrier which is self-adhesive and will cling to a smooth surface.

A further object of this invention is to provide an image carrier which can be selectively attached to a supportive surface and peelably removed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide component apparatus for the direct contact transfer of images and for fabricating an image bearing laminate or carrier.

The above and other objects, teachings and advantages of this invention will be apparent in the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a typical clay-coated image bearing surface with an image thereon;

FIG. 1A is a pictorial representation of an open magazine with a viewfinder for framing the image which is to be transferred;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and shows the spatial relationship between the image, the clay coating, and the bearing surface;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image bearing surface covered with an adhesive-coated, transparent substrate, and also shows a hand-held burnishing tool for applying rubbing pressure to the substrate so that the image will adhere to the adhesive layer in accordance with the method of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3 and shows the relationship between the image bearing surface and adhesive-coated substrate;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view which schematically shows the substrate and bearing surface in a soaking tank for dissolving the clay coating;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a soft, limpid plastic overlay panel being applied to the substrate to protect the transferred image thereon;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 77 of FIG. 6 and illustrates the construction of the laminated image carrier;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the laminated image carrier being applied to a rigid plastic slide mount for projection; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a book having storage leaves for the retention and display of the image carriers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now in detail to the drawings. the reference numeral 10 denotes generally a segment of a page 11, as cut from a magazine, pamphlet, etc., having a selected image 12 thereon. A viewfinder 15 or other apertured framing templet, as shown in FIG. 1A, is used to facilitate defining or outlining the segment 10 prior to cutting so that the picture or image 12, as removed, is within predetermined dimensional boundaries, e.g. 2 inches by 2 inches so as to be accommodable in a conventional slide projector.

In the enlarged perspective and cross-sectional views. as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the image 12, as printed on the page 11, typically rests on a clay-coating 14 which is provided on an image bearing surface 16 comprising a base sheet such as paper stock. The image transfer system of this invention encompasses the lifting or releasing of the image 12 and the transference to a suitable medium for projection, storage, or display.

The process employs a flexible transparent substrate 18 which has on one surface a clear, pressure-sensitive, adhesive layer 20. The substrate 18. in this preferred embodiment, is a plastic acetate, however, other pliable sheet material having similar properties may be applicable. For ease in handling, especially if packaged as a kit, a pre-cut section of the substrate 18, corresponding to or having dimensions slightly larger than segment 10, is applied over the image 12 with the adhesive layer 20 in contact with the segment 10. A burnishing tool. or instrument 22, is then moved in a back and forth motion over the substrate 18 as shown in FIG. 3. This rubbing action is necessary to smooth the substrate l8 and to exert a moderate pressure for insuring complete and intimate contact between the adhesive layer 20 and the image 12. It should be noted that a protective cover or sheet may be placed between the burnishing tool 22 and the substrate 18 during this operation to prevent possible scarring. Additionally, heat may be applied with pressure as in a pressing action, e.g. with an iron, this may be advantageously used when the segment 10 is of relatively large crosssectional area.

Following this procedure, the image bearing surface 16 and substrate 18 are placed into a vessel or soaking tank 24 containing a' liquid, preferably water 26 at room temperature as illustrated in FIG. 5. A wateralcohol or other mixture may be used as a wetting agent; however, if the image transfer system is to be available as a childrens slide making kit, the preferred liquid would be water. The wetting or soaking operation permits separation of the image 12 from the image bearing surface 16 within about 2 or 3 minutes by dissolving the clay coating 14; more or less time may be required depending upon the variable parameters such as, the liquid used, the temperature, the paper stock, the thickness of clay-coating, etc.

The image 12, when released, will adhere to the adhesive layer 20. After removal from the water 26, the substrate 18 will have a clay residue on the adhesive layer 20. This residue is usually white or chalky in appearance and tends to impair good, clear projection of the image 12. For sharp, clear image projection, this residue is removed with a wetted sponge or other absorbent, lint-free material by patting or lightly rubbing the adhesive layer 20.

A soft, limpid plastic overlay panel or lamina 28 is then placed over the image 12, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and will adhere to the exposed portion of the adhesive layer 20 surrounding the image 12 to form a pliable image bearing laminate or carrier 30. It is desirable for the exposed face of the overlay lamina 28 to have selfadherent properties so that the carrier 30 will cling to a smooth surface until peeled or removed therefrom.

Preferably, the lamina 28 comprises a film of clear plastic, e.g. polyvinyl chloride, having a thickness of approximately 6 mils and having a smoothly polished face forming an exposed surface of the carrier 30. It is believed that the self-adherent properties of the lamina face are due, in part. to, the removal of the air between the lamina 28 and the supportive surface, which can be readily achieved by applying a moderate rubbing pressure to smooth the lamina 28 and to insure the removal of air between the abutting surfaces. It is also believed that an electrostatic charge on the lamina 28 causes it to be attracted to the supportive surface. As noted, the lamina 28 is not coated with any adhesive or viscous substance, however, the carrier 30 will readily cohere to any smooth surface such as a rigid transparent slide mount 32, a storage leaf 34, or other supportive surface such as a sheet of glass or window pane.

The self-adherent properties of the lamina 28 can be enhanced by increasing the constituent proportions of conventional plasticizer, e.g. dibutylphthalate, etc., from about 8% to about 10% by weight; this, however, may make the lamina 28 tacky to the touch.

As previously mentioned, a feature of theinvention is that the exposed lamina surface of the pliable image carrier 30 is clingable, and when the carrier 30 is placed flatly against a supportive surface with the lamina 28 abutting the supportive surface and smoothed as by hand, the carrier 30 will stick to the surface until peeled off or otherwise detached.

The pliable image carrier 30 can thus be removably mounted on the slide mount 32 as shown in FIG. 8 or arranged for storage or display on the storage leaf 34, as in a display book 36, shown in FIG. 9.

It should beapparent that one slide mount'32 can be used interchangeably with a number of image carriers 30. This is of particular importance in view of the high cost of the rigid slide mounts 32, as compared to the relatively inexpensive thin lamina 28. Furthermore, the image carriers 30, being pliable, are less prone to damage, such as by scratching or chipping, and when stored, require less space. Additionally, the relatively light weight of a carrier 30, when compared with the weight of an image secured to a slide mount, is advantageous for mailing and shipping purposes.

It should be apparent that there are many possible display applications for the image carriers 30 as opposed to images fixed to rigid slide mounts of the prior art. For instance, the carriers 30 may be removably affixed to a glass window pane for viewing without using a projector, or for rear-illuminated panels as in advertising displays. Another variation can include a display with an arrangement of multiple carriers 30 or a mosaic pattern which can be placed on any smooth, supportive, translucent surface for direct or projected image viewing.

The component elements and apparatus can be furnished in a packaged form or kit including a plurality of pre-cut panels of adhesive-coated substrates and overlay lamina, a viewfinder, a burnishing tool, a sponge or absorbent material, a soaking vessel and, for obvious cost considerations, a number of rigid slide mounts substantially less than the total number of carriers which may be constructed. Such a kit would be a timesaving and useful instructional device and would be an aid to teachers, educators, lecturers and other public speakers, e.g. in devising lesson plans, lectures, and generally for illustrating oral presentations. The desired illustrative materials can, for instance, be removed from magazines or other source books for later projection to a class or other group or can be mounted on a display board for direct viewing. In this connection, the carriers 30, containing images of related subject matter, can be conveniently stored on the storage leaf 34, as in the book 36, until actually needed, at which time the carrier 30 can be peeled from the leaf 34 and affixed to the slide mount 32 for projection or otherwise displayed. The component apparatus is also ideally suitable as a childrens toy or slide-making kit since no harmful chemicals are employed and expensive photography equipment is not necessary.

As other various possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and various changes may be incorporated in the system as set forth, it should be understood that all matter herein described or shown is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. An image transfer system for releasing a selected image from a clay-coated image bearing surface comprising the steps of placing a flexible transparent substrate having a pressure-sensitive, adhesive-coated layer over the image with the adhesive layer in confronting relationship to the image, applying pressure to the substrate to effect intimate contact between the adhesive layer and the image, soaking the image bearing surface in a liquid in which the clay coating is soluble to thereby release the image, separating the image bearing surface from the transparent substrate with the image being transferred to the adhesive layer on the transparent substrate, removing the clay residue from the transparent substrate, contacting a soft, flexible cohesive plastic limpid overlay lamina having an exposed smooth clingable face to the image to form a pliable image carrier whereby the carrier may be releasably secured to a selected smooth supportive surface.

2. A method of transferring images in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of providing a carrier storage leaf having a smooth surface, affixing the pliable image carrier to the storage leaf by placing the overlay lamina and the smooth surface of the storage leaf in intimate juxtaposed relationship.

'3. An image transfer method in accordance with claim 1 including the step of preparing a projectionable transparency slide of the image by providing a substantially planar translucent generally smooth supportive surface and affixing the image carrier to the supportive surface to form a projectionable transparency slide.

4. An image transfer method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the image carrier is affixed to the supportive surface by placing the overlay in intimate juxtaposed relationship with the supportive surface.

5. An image display method in accordance with claim 4 further including the step of providing a projector, positioning the projectionable transparency slide in the projector, providing a light reflective display surface, and projecting the image onto the display surface.

6. A method of providing a slide program in accordance with claim 1, said method including the steps of preparing a series of pliable image carriers, each with a different yet related image, and affixing each of the image carriers to a smooth carrier storage surface.

7. A method of displaying a viewable slide program in accordance with claim 6, said method comprising removing the series of image carriers bearing interrelated images from the storage surface, affixing each image carrier to a smooth translucent supportive surface and serially projecting each image in programmed relationship upon a display surface.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein the image carriers are affixed to the supportive surface by placing the overlay lamina of each carrier in intimate juxtaposed relationship to the supportive surface.

9. An image transfer system as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of providing a glass window pane having a smooth surface, affixing the pliable image carrier to the window pane by placing the overlay lamina and the smooth surface of window pane in intimate juxtaposed relationship.

10. A packaged kit suitable for the fabrication of a projectionable slide in accordance with claim 3, said kit including a flexible transparent substrate having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on one surface, the substrate being suitable for adhesive securement to a selected image imprinted on a clay-coated image bearing surface, means for applying pressure between the substrate and the image bearing surface to effect intimate contact between the adhesive and the image, a soft limpid plastic lamina having a smooth polished surface, the lamina being dimensioned for registry against the substrate in a position overlying the image in contact with the adhesive layer to form a pliable image carrier having an encased image and a translucent supportive member having a smooth surface adapted for supporting the pliable image carrier for image projection, the image carrier being attachable, adhesive-free, to the supportive surface with the overlay lamina in intimate juxtaposed relationship with the smooth surface to thereby form a projectionable transparency slide.

11. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 10 further including a plurality of transparent substrates,

each of the substrates being adapted to receive an image, a plurality of lamina, and a plurality of translucent supportive surfaces whereby a plurality of image carriers may be constructed.

12. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein the number of supportive surfaces is less than the number of lamina, each image carrier being pliably removable from or attachable to a selected translucent supportive surface.

13. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 11 further including an image carrier storage leaf having a smooth face, a plurality of image carriers being attachable to the storage leaf with the overlay lamina in intimate juxtaposed relationship to the supportive surface.

14. A kit constructed in accordance with claim further including framing means for determining boundaries of a selected image, the framing means defining an image aperture no greater than the size of the substrate.

15. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 11 further including a plurality of images, each image being imprinted on a clay-coated, image-bearing surface.

16. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 11 further including a soaking tank, said tank being adapted to carry a liquid capable of separating the image from the image-bearing surface, said tank dimensioned such that an image-bearing surface may be immersed in the liquid therein.

17. A pliable image carrier constructed in accordance with claim 1.

18. A projectionable transparency slide constructed in accordance with claim 3. 

1. AN IMAGE TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR RELEASING A SELECTED IMAGE FROM A CLAY-COATED IMAGE BEARING SURFACE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PLACING A FLEXIBLE TRANSPARENT SUBSTRATE HAVING A PRESSURESENSITIVE, ADHESIVE-COATED LAYER OVER THE IMAGE WITH THE ADHESIVE LAYER IN CONFRONTING RELATIONSHIP TO THE IMAGE, APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE SUBSTRATE TO EFFECT INITIMATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE ADHESIVE LAYER AND THE IMAGE, SOAKING THE IMAGE BEARING SURFACE IN A LIQUID IN WHICH THE CLAY COATING IS SOLUBLE TO THEREBY RELEASE THE IMAGE, SEPARATING THE IMAGE BEARING SURFACE FROM THE TRANSPARENT SUBSRATE WITH THE IMAGE BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE ADHESIVE LAYER ON THE TRANSPARENT SUBSTRATE, REMOVING THE CLAY RESIDUE FROM THE TRANSPARENT SUBSTRATE, CONTACTING A SOFT, FLEXIBLE COHESIVE PLASTIC LIMPID OVERLAY LAMINA HAVING AN EXPOSED SMOOTH CLINGABLE FACE TO THE IMAGE TO FORM A PLIABLE IMAGE CARRIER WHEREBY THE CARRIER MAY BE RELEASABLY SECURED TO A SELECTED SMOOTH SUPPORTIVE SURFACE.
 2. A method of transferring images in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of providing a carrier storage leaf having a smooth surface, affixing the pliable image carrier to the storage leaf by placing the overlay lamina and the smooth surface of the storage leaf in intimate juxtaposed relationship.
 3. An image transfer method in accordance with claim 1 including the step of preparing a projectionable transparency slide of the image by providing a substantially planar translucent generally smooth supportive surface and affixing the image carrier to the supportive surface to form a projectionable transparency slide.
 4. An image transfer method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the image carrier is affixed to the supportive surface by placing the overlay in intimate juxtaposed relationship with the supportive surface.
 5. An image display method in accordance with claim 4 further including the step of providing a projector, positioning the projectionable transparency slide in the projector, providing a light reflective display surface, and projecting the image onto the display surface.
 6. A method of providing a slide program in accordance with claim 1, said method including the steps of preparing a series of pliable image carriers, each with a different yet related image, and affixing each of the image carriers to a smooth carrier storage surface.
 7. A method of displaying a viewable slide program in accordance with claim 6, said method comprising removing the series of image carriers bearing interrelated images from the storage surface, affixing each image carrier to a smooth translucent supportive surface and serially projecting each image in programmed relationship upon a display surface.
 8. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein the image carriers are affixed to the supportive surface by placing the overlay lamina of each carrier in intimate juxtaposed relationship to the supportive surface.
 9. An image transfer system as claimed in claim 1 further iNcluding the step of providing a glass window pane having a smooth surface, affixing the pliable image carrier to the window pane by placing the overlay lamina and the smooth surface of window pane in intimate juxtaposed relationship.
 10. A packaged kit suitable for the fabrication of a projectionable slide in accordance with claim 3, said kit including a flexible transparent substrate having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on one surface, the substrate being suitable for adhesive securement to a selected image imprinted on a clay-coated image bearing surface, means for applying pressure between the substrate and the image bearing surface to effect intimate contact between the adhesive and the image, a soft limpid plastic lamina having a smooth polished surface, the lamina being dimensioned for registry against the substrate in a position overlying the image in contact with the adhesive layer to form a pliable image carrier having an encased image and a translucent supportive member having a smooth surface adapted for supporting the pliable image carrier for image projection, the image carrier being attachable, adhesive-free, to the supportive surface with the overlay lamina in intimate juxtaposed relationship with the smooth surface to thereby form a projectionable transparency slide.
 11. A KIT CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAIM 10 FURTHER INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF TRANSPARENT SUBSTRATES, EACH OF THE SUBSTRATES BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AN IMAGE, A PLURALITY OF LAMINA, AND A PLURALITY OF TRANSLUCENT SUPPORTIVE SURFACES WHEREBY A PLURALITY OF TRANSLUCENT SUPPORTIVE SURFACES
 12. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein the number of supportive surfaces is less than the number of lamina, each image carrier being pliably removable from or attachable to a selected translucent supportive surface.
 13. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 11 further including an image carrier storage leaf having a smooth face, a plurality of image carriers being attachable to the storage leaf with the overlay lamina in intimate juxtaposed relationship to the supportive surface.
 14. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 10 further including framing means for determining boundaries of a selected image, the framing means defining an image aperture no greater than the size of the substrate.
 15. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 11 further including a plurality of images, each image being imprinted on a clay-coated, image-bearing surface.
 16. A kit constructed in accordance with claim 11 further including a soaking tank, said tank being adapted to carry a liquid capable of separating the image from the image-bearing surface, said tank dimensioned such that an image-bearing surface may be immersed in the liquid therein.
 17. A pliable image carrier constructed in accordance with claim
 18. A PROJECTIONABLE TRANSPARENCY SLIDE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAIM
 3. 